Saved (Wanted 2)

My mother pulled me into her arms and rocked me back and forth. Shit. This whole crying thing was starting to piss me off! We sat there for a good fifteen minutes. We didn’t talk as my mom just held me, letting me get it all out. I cried so much that I was sure we were both going to need to change our shirts from my water-works.

Just then, I heard a car coming up the driveway. I felt my mother tense up. I looked up and saw Jeff pulling up. I jumped up and ran into the house, leaving my mother alone to fend for herself.

I went into the bathroom and splashed my face with cold water. Then, I heard a knock on the door. Shit! Why would she let him come in? I slowly opened the door and peeked out to see my father looking at me. Fuck me. I can’t handle any more today.

“You okay, princess? Do I need to kick his ass? I’ll do it, baby girl. Just give me the word, and I’ll hire a really big guy to kick his ass. ”

I started laughing uncontrollably. I laughed so hard that I had to lean my hands on my knees as I tried onto catch my breath. Just then, Jeff and my mom walked up.

“What did you say to her Mark?” my mom asked.

“Ah…nothing. I um, just offered to, um…take care of something for her. She just lost it. ”

Jeff started to laugh and then both my parents did.

“Well, whatever you said, thank you. I’ve been missing that laugh,” Jeff said as he smiled at me.

***

After my laughter episode, I said good-bye to Matthew and my parents. Jeff walked out with me to my Jeep. He grabbed my arm and pulled me into a hug.

“Hey, I just wanted to make sure you were okay. I figured you were here, so I took a chance at coming over,” he said.

I tried to breathe in the smell of him, but all I could smell was perfume…and not my perfume.

I pushed away from him and covered my mouth. I instantly felt sick.

“Ari, what’s wrong? Is your stomach still upset?”

“All I smell is her perfume on you! Why do I smell her perfume on you?”

Jeff looked confused, and then he shook his head. “Um…well um…maybe because she broke down when we finished up painting. She started crying, I just gave her a hug, to um. . . well I don’t know…make her feel better, I guess. ”

Son of a bitch. “I’m heading back out to the ranch. Are you done?”

“No, I just had to run out and buy a screwdriver, I didn’t have the right one in my truck, and Rebecca doesn’t have any. I needed it to put the crib together. ”

I just stood there and looked at him. I didn’t even know how I should be feeling right now.

“I have to go. ”

“Ari, wait! The hug didn’t mean a damn thing. How do you think I felt when I walked in to see you having lunch with an old boyfriend?”

I spun around, narrowing my eyes at him.

“What? Are you fucking kidding me, Jeff? I ran into him while I was having lunch with my brother. What’s your excuse for your little lunch date with your baby mama? You two looked awfully cozy together. I can see how painful it is for you to be with her. I’m heading back to Mason. I guess I’ll see you when you’re done playing house. ”

“Jesus Christ, Ari can we just stop doing this?” Jeff shouted.

I jumped back for a second shocked that he raised his voice so loud.

Without another word, I walked to the driver side of my Jeep and got in.

***

The two-and-a-half hour drive back to Mason was the longest drive of my life. I did nothing but cry, think, and cry some more.

I pulled up to Garrett and Emma’s house to see Ellie and Heather sitting on the porch. I smiled at the sight of my two best friends. I was so glad that Ellie was back. She looked so happy with huge smile on her face. I did my best to act normal, but it was so hard when all I was doing was dying inside.